When Airbags Do Not Deploy: A Hard Lesson About Skipping Vehicle Scans

Recently, we had a vehicle come into our shop with severe front-end damage. The impact was significant; the front of the vehicle was heavily crushed, and under normal circumstances most people would expect the airbags to deploy. In this case, they did not.

The most important thing to say first is this. The driver is okay.

That outcome does not change how serious this situation was or what we learned from it.

After reviewing the vehicle’s history, we found that the car had been purchased as a salvaged vehicle. It had been repaired previously at other shops, and those repairs were never followed by a proper diagnostic scan. Over time, issues within the safety system went undetected.

When the next major collision occurred, the vehicle’s airbag system did not respond as designed.

Why Vehicle Scans Matter, Especially on Used or Salvaged Cars

Modern vehicles rely on a network of sensors, modules, and computers to control critical safety features. Airbags, seatbelt pretensioners, and crash detection systems all depend on accurate sensor data and proper communication between systems.

If a vehicle has been in a previous accident or repaired without proper scanning, those systems may not function correctly even if there are no warning lights on the dash.

For used vehicles, and especially salvage or rebuilt vehicles, a full diagnostic scan is one of the only ways to confirm that safety systems are actually online and working.

Scans allow shops to:

• Identify stored crash data and fault codes

• Confirm airbag and restraint systems are communicating correctly

• Verify that repairs did not disable safety systems

• Perform calibrations required by the manufacturer

Skipping this step leaves too much to chance.

The Risk of Skipping Scans During Repairs

We see this more often than people realize. Some repairs are completed without any scans being performed. Sometimes this happens because insurance does not approve scan time. Other times, shops offer cheaper repairs by skipping electronic checks entirely.

That is not a risk we are willing to take.

If a shop tells you scans are unnecessary or that they were told not to perform them, that should raise concerns. On modern vehicles, electronic verification is just as important as repairing visible damage.

At our shop, when a vehicle calls for a scan, we perform it. Before repairs and after repairs. Every time.

The Takeaway

This vehicle is a real example of what can happen when safety systems are never properly checked. Airbags failing to deploy in a severe collision is not something anyone expects, but it is a known risk when scans are skipped.

If you are buying a used or salvaged vehicle, ask for documentation showing that scans were performed. If you are having collision repairs done, make sure the shop is verifying safety systems, not just repairing what you can see.

Cutting corners may save money upfront, but safety systems are not the place to do it.